Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we carry—and the ways we learn to move through it—can define who we become. We asked community members from a broad array of industries to reflect on their defining wounds and have shared the responses below.
Rebecca Proenza
The defining wounds of my life… there’s a list. Growing up, I was intelligent, hyper, and autistic. You can imagine that I was an “easy target” for my classmates. “Freak,” “Waste of space,” “Nobody likes you,” “Weirdo,” “What’s wrong with you?” “Annoying.” “Useless.” People making fun of my stimming, speech, and ticks. The list goes on. Read more>>
Catysha Dorcely
The defining wounds of my life have come from learning not to be a people pleaser and realizing that my loyalty—though rooted in love—should never become a prison. I’ve had to understand that just because my heart is big doesn’t mean it belongs everywhere. One of the hardest seasons I walked through felt like it would break me completely. Read more>>
Pj Mills
I am not sure that I paint wounds. Although, I have a few more than my share. I try to stay focused on my work and make sure that it truly is what I want to say about the things that resonate with me and hopefully with others that see it. That is ‘hope’ they get it. The work is personal. Read more>>
Jenifer Shwartz
The defining wound of my life is also what became my greatest turning point. Without it, I wouldn’t be on the path I’m on today but I was headed there through pain, not choice. When COVID hit, like many others, it tore my life apart overnight. Read more>>
Danielle Lopez
For most of my life, I was the high achiever. I was at the top of my class in school, excelled at every job I had, and rose quickly through the ranks in the tech industry. I genuinely loved the work I did, and while people often told me I should start my own business, I never really believed I could. Read more>>
